Clinical Professor (Open Rank), Disaster Mental Health

The University of Denver (DU) is a top ranked university in a thriving city at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) at DU was created in 1976 to house one of the first Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) programs in the country, under the then new Vail training model (practitioner-scholar). The PsyD program has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1970. Furthermore, GSPP provides four specialized masters programs: International Disaster Psychology: Trauma and Global Mental Health; Forensic Psychology; Sport and Performance Psychology; and Sport Coaching; as well as online certificates and continuing education. As a professional school, GSPP promotes and utilizes high-level pedagogy that integrates applied practice, theory, research and scholarship. Our strategic plan Innovation and Impact: Psychology for a Complex World outlines how we are building on our academic strengths in order to expand our community reach.

All GSPP programs provide comprehensive academic and applied teaching within an academic environment that values cooperation and collaboration and fosters critical thinking and self-determined functioning. The School is educating students to provide culturally informed services to clients and the community. Knowledge of multiculturalism and inclusive excellence guides GSPP in the mission to be welcoming and inclusive to all students, staff and faculty. GSPP has developed a collegial atmosphere with significant opportunities for creativity, teamwork and innovation. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment and encourage applications from individuals with marginalized identities.

The International Disaster Psychology (IDP) Program: Trauma and Global Mental Health is a 2-year master's Program within GSPP developed in 2005. In additional to providing masters level training in general clinical psychology, the program meets a clear need for specialized knowledge and experience to work in the trauma, disaster, and global mental health fields.

In our program, students receive intensive academic coursework and supervised training in providing mental health services within the Trauma and Disaster Recovery Clinic (TDRC) as well as in domestic and international field-placements. Supervised experiences also include training and consulting with agencies, developing emergency preparedness and response plans, and monitoring and evaluation psychosocial interventions domestically and abroad. Our 2-year curriculum and practicum experiences help students develop a background in global mental health, a field focusing on methods for increasing mental health workforces in low-resource communities, addressing stigma regarding mental illness and mental health care and expanding beyond Western treatment models.

As part of our training model, GSPP offers a broad range of confidential and evidence-based mental health care services to the Denver community through multiple specialized clinics. Our Professional Psychology Clinic (PPC) has provided low-cost, high-quality psychological services to the Denver community for over 30 years and houses a number of specialty clinics to work with specific populations. The Trauma and Disaster Recovery Clinic (TDRC) is the training clinic within the PPC for the International Disaster Psychology Program: Trauma and Global Mental Health. Established in 2015, the TDRC provides psychological support to individuals and communities who have experienced stress, adversity and/or trauma. We utilize an integrative, need- and strengths-based approach that is culturally informed. Faculty members in the IDP Program supervise students in the TDRC. For more information on the TDRC see our website: https://psychology.du.edu/clinics/trauma-disaster-recovery-clinic

Position Summary

The Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) at the University of Denver seeks a faculty member for a 10-month, Clinical Track position for a 2-year appointment with renewal contingent upon performance and funding. This faculty member will be a core faculty member in the Master's Program in International Disaster Psychology (IDP): Trauma and Global Mental Health. This faculty member will also develop an online Disaster Mental Health certificate in the IDP Program consisting of 6 online courses offered to the professional community.

This position reports to the Director of the IDP Program. This position is funded for 2 years with the possibility of continuing if additional funding is secured. The position is responsible for pursuing and securing funding through sources including tuition, continuing education, grants, and philanthropy. 

Appointment, tenure, and promotion for this role will be governed by the University of Denver's Policies and Procedures Relating to Faculty Appointment, Promotion and Tenure. In addition, GSPP requires all faculty and staff to exhibit excellent citizenship and pursue professional development to foster a model workplace.

The position is likely to be filled at the Assistant Professor rank, but appointment at a higher rank may be considered for a candidate with exceptional experience:

• Clinical Assistant Professors will be candidates in the first two to seven years of experience post-doctorate with strong, documented potential for excellence in teaching and scholarship.
• Clinical Associate Professors will be candidates who are mid-career teacher/scholars with a strong, documented record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Clinical Professors will be candidates at the top of the profession as teacher/scholars with an extensive, strong, documented excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Often candidates will have received awards for their scholarship and teaching and have evidence of functioning as a mentor to other faculty.

Essential Functions

Duties of this core IDP faculty member include:

• Teaching, advising and mentoring of IDP graduate students in both the IDP Program and Disaster Mental Health Certificate Program. Teaching areas of expertise may include but are not limited to disaster mental health, trauma, loss and grief, psychological assessment, program evaluation, psychotherapy supervision. Teaching duties may include providing clinical supervision to students conducting therapy or consultation in the Trauma and Disaster Recovery Clinic. Advising duties encompass administrative tasks as well as professional mentorship of students in the IDP Program and Disaster Mental Health Certificate Program.
• Developing, delivering and ongoing administration of a Disaster Mental Health Online Certificate for professionals that includes a 6-course sequence; this involves significant administrative duties. In addition, this faculty member will be involved in proactive engagement with potential, current, and graduate students from the Certificate program to ensure that the Certificate is successful.
• Cultivating, developing, and reporting on additional sources of revenue, including the Certificate, grants, and philanthropy, in order to fund this position past the initial two years.
• Engaging in all IDP faculty activities (such as participating in student competency exams, faculty meetings, committees, and the student admissions processes) and participating as a core faculty member within the larger School and University, including serving on doctoral and administrative committees.
• Scholarly work includes presentations, publications and applied research as outlined for Clinical Track Faculty members at the University as per the Policies and Procedures Relating to Faculty Appointment, Promotion and Tenure. Expectations for scholarship are typically minimal for Clinical faculty but can be negotiated with the Program Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge in the field of disaster mental health.
• Knowledge with online curriculum development and teaching.
• Knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to effectively engage with diverse individuals and communities.
• Strong teaching and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent abilities to work as part of a faculty team.
• Administrative abilities to manage an online teaching certificate.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology or a closely related field.
• Licensed or licensed-eligible in Colorado.
• Experience in online curriculum development and teaching.
• At least 2 years of teaching, training, supervision and/or applied research experience at the graduate level.
• Expertise in the area of disaster mental health.
• Strong potential for or proven record of excellence in teaching and scholarship.
• Commitment to issues of social justice and diversity.
• Strong potential for or proven track record in attracting external funding.

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by September 1, 2020. Applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Range
Salary will be determined by the qualifications of the selected candidate balanced with departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Names and contact information of three individuals that can serve as references

The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military/ veteran status or any other status protected by law.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.